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2003 MAR 12 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Three serious reactions have been reported out of more than 100,000 military vaccinations against smallpox, the Army's deputy director for military vaccines says.
Col. John D. Grabenstein told an Institute of Medicine panel there have been two cases of encephalitis and one heart infection associated with the vaccinations. All three people have recovered and returned to duty, he said.
"We're seeing a rash of rashes," Grabenstein said, but overall bad reactions are occurring at a lower rate than had been expected.
Off to a slower start is the civilian smallpox program, with just 1043 people vaccinated as of February 11, 2003, said Joe Henderson, associate director of terrorism preparedness and response at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
He said no serious reactions have been reported in this group, mainly public health and safety personnel.
Henderson said he was not surprised by the low number of vaccinations and predicted substantial increases over the next few weeks as more states get involved.
Concerns about liability and compensation for people who suffer reactions have slowed the civilian program, but Henderson said only one state, Michigan, has declined to take part until that is resolved.